Bringing Emergency Medical Care to the Backcountry

At Campbell County Health EMS (CCHEMS), our top priority is the safety and well-being of our community wherever and whenever help is needed. Recently, our EMS and WREMS Wilderness Team successfully completed their first backcountry rescue, demonstrating our commitment to delivering advanced medical care in even the most remote locations.

Late in the afternoon, the team responded to an emergency in the backcountry, where a man had been thrown from a snowmobile, sustaining a severe shoulder injury. Collaborating with Sheridan Area Search and Rescue (SAR), EMS and WREMS navigated 10 miles of rugged terrain to reach him.

To expedite care, one team member rode ahead on a snowmobile while another followed in a tracked ranger. Upon arrival, the patient was moved into the ranger’s heated cab, where the team assessed his condition and provided critical care, including IV fluids, pain management, and nausea treatment to ensure his stability and comfort.

As nightfall brought dropping temperatures, WREMS carefully transported the patient down the mountain while continuously monitoring his condition. At the base of Red Grade Road, EMS crews took over his care and safely transported him to Sheridan Memorial Hospital.

This successful rescue marks a significant milestone for our WREMS and EMS teams. Through rigorous training, strategic preparation, and specialized protective gear, we are now able to extend high-quality emergency medical care into areas previously inaccessible to such services.

At CCH, we are proud to bring this new level of care to our community, ensuring that emergency medical assistance is available no matter how remote the location. Your safety remains our highest priority.

"Thank you for the unwavering support each of you has shown our team. I hope this is the first of many opportunities for us to bring the exceptional care CCH EMS is known for into the backcountry in ways never before possible."
— Benjamin Wetzel, NRP, BS, WP-C
Lead Medic, D-Shift
WREMS